How to copy contacts with SIM-maps on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 4X It is still a popular budget smartphone, but many users face the problem of transferring contacts from the Internet. SIM-Unlike current models, where synchronization with the cloud is automatic, manual copying is often required. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard functions. MIUI Up to workarounds for older versions of firmware.

Feature of Redmi 4X (The code name santoni is that it operates on a base. MIUI 8-11 (depending on updates), where the contact menu interface may differ, and some operators (e.g. MTS or Beeline) block access to the contact menu. SIM-We've taken these nuances into account and prepared instructions that will work even in non-standard situations.

Why are your contacts not automatically copied?

In modern smartphones, contacts are usually synced with a Google account or Mi Account, but Redmi is the only one. 4X It's often used with or without the Internet being shut down, and in those cases, the data is only stored on the cloud. SIM-map that creates risks:

• 📵 Loss of contact during change SIM-card.
• 🔄 Inability to edit numbers directly on the phone (only via SIM-menu).
• 🚫 Limiting the number of contacts saved (usually up to 250 per one) SIM).

In addition, MIUI versions below 10 do not have a separate option, “Import with SIM” in the contact menu, which has been replaced by universal import/export, which does not always work correctly, which is one of the reasons why users are looking for alternative ways.

Method 1: Standard import via MIUI settings

The most reliable method for most users is to use the built-in Contacts → Contact Management feature, but the path to this menu may vary depending on the firmware version:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Import with SIM-Maps and indicate where to save contacts (on your phone or Google account).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

If the item Import from the SIM-card is not:

• 🔍 Check if it's installed. SIM-slot-card SIM1 (Some firmware does not see contacts in the second slot).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the menu appears after a restart.
• 📱 Update the Contacts app via Play Market (if it is updated separately from firmware).

Make sure that SIM-card is recognized by phone|Check the space in the memory.|Close all background applications|Connect the charger (in case of a long process)-->

If the error "Can't read the contacts" appears when importing, it may mean:

⚠️ Attention: Some SIM-cards (especially the old ones) use non-standard coding of contacts, in which case only Method 3 using third-party applications will help.

Method 2: Copying through a Google account (if you have the Internet)

If your Redmi 4X is connected to the Internet, you can transfer contacts to Google Contacts and then sync them to your phone, which is more reliable because it backs up in the cloud.

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and enable Contact Sync.
3. Return to the Contacts app, click ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
4. Select Import with SIM-map → Google account.
5. After importing, wait for the sync to complete (check in Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔒 Contacts will remain even when the phone is reset.
• 📱 It can be restored on any other Android device.
• 🔄 Automatic update when changing numbers.

If you've previously synced your contacts with another account, they can be duplicated, so to avoid this, before importing:

1. Go to Google Contacts on your computer.
2. Delete all unnecessary entries (or export them to a CSV file for backup).
3. On your phone, perform Settings → Apps → Contacts → Storage → Clear data (this will only delete local contacts!).

Only on the SIM-map|On the phone.|On Google account|In the other cloud (iCloud, Mi Account, etc.)|I don’t store it, I wear it when necessary.-->

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If standard methods don’t work (for example, the phone can’t see contacts on SIM), third-party software will help. We tested several applications and selected the most reliable ones for the Redmi 4X:

• 📱 Copy to SIM Card – a simple application for two-way copying (SIM ↔ Phones. Supports old ones. SIM-non-standard-coded.
• 🔄 SIM Contacts Manager – allows you to edit contacts directly to the SIM, and then export them to VCF-file.
• ☁️ Super Backup & Restore – Creates backups of contacts in the format XML/VCF, Which can be imported into the phone.

Instructions for Copy to SIM Card:

1. Download the app from the Play Market (or APKPure if you don’t have access to Google).
2. Open it and provide access to contacts and SIM-map.
3. Select Copy from SIM to Phone.
4. Check the contacts you want (or click Select All).
5. Press Copy and wait until it is completed.

Attention! Some applications may request suspicious permissions (e.g. access to the Internet) SMS or geolocation. Never install APK-Files from unverified sources – this can lead to data leakage.

⚠️ Note: If the contacts are displayed in hieroglyphics after copying, this means that the application does not read the encoding correctly. SIM. Try another software or use Method 4.

Method 4: Manual export via VCF file (for power users)

This method is suitable if you can temporarily insert SIM-The idea is to export the contacts to a.vcf file and then import them to Redmi. 4X.

Step 1: Exporting contacts on another phone

• 📱 On Android: Contacts → ⋮ → Management → Exports → To the memory card (save as contacts.vcf).
• 🍎 On iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Imports SIM-Contacts, then export via iCloud or mail.

Step 2: Transfer the file to Redmi 4X

• 📲 Open the file through Explorer (or any application for working with files).

The advantage of this method:

• 🔒 He works even with the old ones. SIM-cards that are not read by standard means.
• 📊 Allows you to edit contacts before import (e.g., delete duplicates or correct numbers).

💡

If you don't have a second phone, try using Bluetooth: send contacts one by one to the Redmi 4X from an old phone. It's long, but reliable.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you copy contacts on Redmi 4X, users face typical problems, and we've collected the most common ways to fix them:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📶 Status. SIM-maps: some operators (e.g. Tele2) block access to contacts. SIM operator.

💡

If the phone is reading SIM, but calls and SMS are working fine, the problem is the format of the contacts' storage, and 90 percent of the time, exporting via VCF helps.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions